amylynns

I had the same problem after I had the lapband, back in 2008. (I had the band removed in Dec. 2013) I don't know how you do swallowing capsules, but I swear by this stuff I was recommended to try by a nutritionist. If you search for it on Amazon, search for Aerobic Mag 07. It's basically a big dose of magnesium. I had to take 5-6 capsules at the beginning to get things moving, for about 2 days. Now I take 4 capsules each night. I have a BM every single day now. TMI warning.... It basically turns your bowels to liquid, but it's NOT diarrhea. There's no cramping, or pain. when you feel the need to go, you just go--and it's done! I usually got 2-3 times a day now. I used to go, maybe every 4-5 days and it was hard and painful. I'm scheduled for gastric bypass on Oct. 20th and I am concerned about not being able to take the capsules. But I've heard I might not need to either.

I must have had an odd recovery....for me, it was a lot worse than having the band put in. I had a lot of pain. BUT...I do have to say, I had pain in my port area the whole time I had the band, which was 5 years. Like painful to even touch the area. So after I had it removed, my main pain was where the port was. I don't know what the deal was, but I STILL have pain where that darn port was! (I had It removed Dec. 2013) I took a week off of work and ended needing another extra 5 days off. I'm having gastric bypass on the 20th of October. I'm taking 2 full weeks off, and my boss knows I may need longer. A friend told me to take 4 weeks off....but I don't have that much vacation time, LOL. But I can be doing some work from home too, if need be.

October 20th for me! So excited, good luck everyone!!

I had to go check out this chicken broth you mentioned. It sounds great!! I think I'll order some. When I was on the liquid diet before, I would mix regular chicken broth with tomato soup. It was a nice change from all of the sweet stuff. When it comes to social eating out, checking out the menu ahead of time and deciding what you're going to order ahead of time always worked well for me. But really, it's all about choices. We can choose the slider foods, or choose what we know we're supposed to have. It's definitely hard though! I have several friends who've had the bypass and none of them are able to eat junky sweet stuff. (like ice cream, Desserts, etc.) They experience the dumping syndrome when they eat that stuff. It'll be a learning experience I'm sure! Beni- I LOVE that part of the OR too!! Time travel, love that!! :-) I hate waking up though....waking up in pain sucks! They put in an epidural when I had my band and slowly let it taper off, so I didn't wake up in pain. I was horribly nauseated though. That was the worst. They tried 3 different meds to relieve it. With my gall bladder removal surgery and the band removal surgery, they put the patch thing behind my ear and wow, what a difference that made! I'll be sure to request that again this time!

October 20th here! I have to do 2 weeks, all liquid diet before, and 2 more weeks after, then onto pureed foods. The nutritionist I met with gave me a lot of meal ideas using different forms of the liquids for meals. It's about 1000 calories a day. I've done this same plan before when I had the lapband back in 2008 so I know what to expect. Day 3 or 4 was the worst for me. Caffeine withdraw gave me horrid headaches and was also just shaky and weak. But once I got through those first few days it wasn't too bad.

Hi Joy and AuriP! So glad I got back on this website! I had been on it years ago when I had my band done. So AuriP, You'll have the band removed and have the RXY done all at the same time? The Dr.who removed my band (Not the same one I"ll have for the bypass) said I would have to wait 6 months if I was thinking of having something else done. I wonder why? Good luck to all of us October gals! I got to spend the day with my honey, my 20 yr old daughter and her boyfriend. Her birthday is next Wed and we weren't going to be able to get together then, so we planned on going for lunch to a Sushi place and then come home. That was at noon. And we just got home. But guess what we did---something I've never done, and will never do again. Oh my. We had lunch, ate way too much, of course. Sushi--AND and a BLT AND tomato Soup. We sat there forever chatting. Then we went to get her a winter jacket. Then stood around and chatted for a while longer. It was 3pm by now.Then we decided we needed dessert so we went to Culvers. I just had a single scoop of their custard, but still....We literally sat there for almost 3 hours just talking!! So by then it was 6PM! And we were hungry again! So we drove to the next town and had dinner at a place my daughter is a waitress at. We had pizza, I had 3 pieces! (square cut, not triangles) AND a Long Island Ice tea. Oh my gosh, I am so miserable. I ate way too much for the day. I cannot wait to NOT be able to eat like that!! I too, think my kids suffer some because there's activities I either don't want to do, or can't. I'm looking forward to that changing! Anyway--looking forward to chatting with you all! But I'm heading to bed, so good night!

My goodness, what a horrible first baby experience!! Wow!! You're right, there's enough things hurting at that time without also having your belly hurting! :-( As far as cooking for the family...if whatever they're having isn't ok for me to have, I just adjust a bit. Main thing is to eat your Protein item first (my favorites being fish & chicken) and then veggies, and then a minimal carb item. but it'll be quite a while before we're eating a "normal" meal I think? You will physically not be able to eat seconds, or leftovers. I do that now too---I'll finish up what my 8yr old daughter might leave on her plate or something, LOL. But yeah, you won't be able to overeat. And if you try--from what I hear, it's such a horrible, painful feeling, that you won't want to do it again!

Yes--I agree about the skin issue. I had a friend who had the sleeve done and her face looked like that too. Once she got to her very lowest, she ended up putting back on about 15 pounds. And honestly, she looks better at that weight!

Hey, That's great you only "Have" to do 3 days! My worst day was about day 3. Bad headaches and really shakey....but after that it wasn't too hard at all. You get over the hunger "pains" pretty quick. I did get really sick of the same drinks everyday, so trying to switch it up is a good plan! I've already met with the nutritionist. I could maybe email you the sheet that shows what I'll be eating. I think it gives Protein options too. I figure if I can through the 2 weeks before and after, I can stick to it well after that. Cheating and putting yourself in danger is SO not worth it! I would be terrified of my pouch bursting, Oh my gosh!! My kids all know what's going on. My 20yr old daughter would rather I didn't do it. She's just worried, and thinks I can just lose on my own. Well, that's obviously not working! :-) We have 2 20yr olds, 2 17yr olds, 2 14 yr olds and then the 8yr old. My 8 yr old doesn't really "get it." But the rest of them know what it is. I don't mind them knowing I guess---they're good support for me. But you have to do what you're comfortable with. If you don't want to tell them exactly what you're having done, you could always just say you're going in for a procedure for something you'd like to keep private. After surgery, I didn't feel starved AT ALL~ It was SO weird to not have food on my mind all day long! In fact, I had to force myself to eat most of the time! It's hard those first several days to get enough Water in. I got dehydrated and ended up back at the hospital and had 2 bags of Fluid put in me. That was not fun. So watch for those signs. And really work to get the required amount of water in. You'll be exhausted for sure. You won't be getting very many calories, so you will be weak too. But from what I've read and people I've talked to that have had it--the first week is the hardest. I hate coming out of anesthesia---I get super nauseated. They put Patches behind my ears when I had my gallbladder out and that helped a lot! By the way, if you haven't had your gallbladder out, a lot of times with rapid weight loss, the gallbladder goes bad for whatever reason and you'll need it removed. If you want me to email that to you, let me know. :-)

I had the lapband done in 2008 and removed in 2013. I am scheduled to have gastric bypass on Oct. 20th. So I don't know a lot yet, but will let you know more as I go along here.... Recovery from my band removal was ALOT more painful than having it put in. So I am worried about pain after bypass. Along with fatigue from not having food, etc. But I'll keep you updated!

Beni-- Haha, I don't know about being a pro--but yes, I've done the pre-op stuff before so I am familiar with that. To be disappointed is for sure accurate! When I had lost the 85 I remember distinctly thinking, " Wonderful--I will NEVER be that big again!" And then stuff slowly started going wrong. I started gaining weight, although I was still eating the same things. From what I've heard from other people and my Dr., that is evidently a common problem with the band. I had chose the band in the first place because I was afraid of the gastric bypass, because it was so extreme. But now I wish I would have just done that in the first place. I am SO thankful I'm getting another chance though.. I was sinking into a very dark, lonely place (and of course still gaining..) with every pound I gained. So I see a light at the end of the tunnel now at least! :-) I am a bit worried as well. I know it's extreme. I'm worried about the pain. When I had the band removed, it seems like it was twice as painful of a recovery than having it put it in. My plan right now is to be off work 2 weeks, and my boss knows I may need longer. I can do some work from home too, so I should be ok there. We have a blended family with 7 kids total. (2 are away at college though) so I'll have a lot of help. ( I hope!) My youngest is 8, so they're all pretty self sufficient. Thank goodness! I'll let them and my man take care of me! My other worry is loosing so fast I'll have a lot of hanging skin. I haven't been working out as much as I should be--and I need to get back into that mode (I had been at a point where I LOVED working out and couldn't go a day without it--I NEED to be there again!) I know that will help with the excess skin. I think my hospital stay is 2-3 days. My pre-op appointment is Oct 15th. I think they'll tell me for sure then. I have 2 weeks of a liquid diet prior to surgery and then 2 more weeks of liquid diet after surgery...then pureed food I think for a time period, then more mushy foods, etc..I'm planning on buying a good amount of liquids that I'll need ahead of time so I won't have to worry about not having what I need on hand after surgery. What is your pre-op diet like? It'll be nice to have someone to chat with that will have a similar experience to mine!

I'm in October!! The 20th! I had the lapband from 2008-2013. Lost 85 pounds, gained back all but 16. :-( Had it removed due to it moving and every single thing I ate got stuck. Constantly throwing up, had ulcers on my esophagus. Not a fun deal. I'm so excited to the have the bypass done now!!

Thanks so much SunnyRachel! By the way, You're doing AMAZING!! Great stats!!!

Well, I had my band taken out on Dec. 5th. Still in a lot of pain, geez--I think it was worse than having the band put in! Where they took the port out is HORRID! I thought it was odd that I had no food restrictions after surgery, just " Ok, you're done. Here ya go!" It is SO weird to eat something and not have it get stuck! It's nice, but yes, SO scary that I have no restriction. The surgeon told me IF I want another procedure done, I have to wait 6 months--and that he'd recommend by-pass, not the sleeve. I have severe reflux (from the band) and have ulcers on my esophagus.He said the only "cure" for it is the gastric by-pass. They actually remove the part of the esophagus where the reflux is caused. But I don't know that I want another procedure right now. I'm going to give it my all and try to do this on my own. I had lost 85 pounds with the band over the first 2 yrs. Then slowly over the last 3 years, have gained back about 45 of that. I know what I need to do, so I just need to do it.

Guess I need to update my stats and get a new "ticker." I do not weight 208 pounds! :-(

Ooops, I see you already answered what procedure you had done. WOW, that is so scary what happened to you!! I've had pain at my port site since I had it done back in 2008. I just thought that was normal...still not sure if it is or not. But that will be one thing I'll be glad I don't have to worry about anymore I guess. When my kids and I are playing/wrestling, etc--they always know to be careful not to jab my port area! LOL--it's a big joke now, "My port, my port--watch my port!" :-) I'm glad you're doing so well!! I am just so terrified I will gain everything back--and I still need to lose AT LEAST 50 pounds! Ugh...my sweet daughter and mom and trying so hard to encourage me. Telling me I have to tools to lose, I KNOW what I need to eat, I know I need to be physical, etc. But it's just taking my security blanket away--I know it's all mental, but I don't know how to get past that....

Did you gain weight back? Did you end up having any other procedures done?

So I went to the Dr Friday. I am devastated. I have to have my band removed. There's a possibility I'll be able to have the sleeve done, BUT---NOTHING for 6 months!!?? He said, for one thing: it'll take my body 6 months to heal properly from having the band removed. Second thing: insurance companies will make me be "monitored" for 6 months before they'll approve anything else. :-( The Dr said they've seen so many people coming back with issues from the band. I have damage done by bad reflux, caused by the band he said. I have several ulcers on my esophagus, and a large hiatal hernia. Lots of pain with swallowing and horrible esophagus spasms. Oh my gosh, so painful! I was on some meds to heal up the ulcers, which also was helping with the painful swallowing and spasms, but evidently I'm allergic or something because my legs were itching INSANELY. We finally pinpointed it down to the meds. I've been off them for a week now and finally have some relief from the itching, but my spasms and reflux are back.

I had lost 85 pounds over the first 2 yrs, then gained back about 40-45 over the next 2 years! :-( [/b]

You know--I'm not sure how much I have in?? I haven't had it filled since 2011. (lost my insurance) but I still feel restriction, so I don't know. although what I feel might be restriction may very well be my hernia and not the band at all. I'm leaving right now to go to the Dr to check things out, so I'll keep you updated!

SOEXCITED.... See, I think your breakfasts are good. Protein and fruit! More nutrition than my lattes. :-) I do have a juicer and when I'm not being lazy and have a lot of fruit/veggies stocked up I drink those for breakfast. But honestly, they don't keep me full for very long. When I first got the band and was losing, slowly--but losing, I didn't even care that it was slow. I just remember thinking in my head, "I am never going to be obese again. THIS is it, this is what I needed. All I have to do is follow "the rules" and I'm golden!" WEll....not true. When I started gaining, I had been on a new med for RA and over 4 months gained 17 pounds. This was back in 2011. since then NOTHING I seem to do---even though I can eat EXACTLY what I was eating when I first had my band---is making me lose any weight. I just keep creeping up. I might lose 2-3 pounds one week, but always gain it back. I'm just so discouraged, so mad at myself for gaining weight. :-( I hope I get some good news Friday is all I can say. I don't know what I'll do if this is as good as it's gonna be. :-(

Thanks so much for that info! I'll be curious to know how the sleeve works for you! And yes, I agree, it will be SO nice to be full and not have food get stuck every time I eat! (That's the point I'm at now because of either the hernia, or the band possibly moved) Even scrambled eggs can get stuck. :-( That's why I'm "drinking" my breakfast right now, which I know is a no no. UGH....

My surgeons office said a lot of their patients are getting their bands revised with the sleeve. I actually have an appointment on this Friday to discuss this. I had lost 85 pounds with my band between 2008-2010 and since then have actually gained back half of that. :-( I CANNOT seem to lose anything now. Just keeps creeping back up. Also having bad gastro issues. I have a huge hiatal hernia and there's a chance my band has actually moved I guess. Hopefully Friday I'll have more answers. I would panic if they wanted to just remove the band and have nothing though. I hope I'll be able to have the sleeve done. A friend of mine had it and got to her goal weight within less than a year. (lost about 90-95 total pounds)

Breakfast: (not ideal!) 2 pcs toast with 2TBS Homeade peanut butter from Hells Kitchen restaurant. ( no idea on calories!?) Snack: Cucumber slices Lunch: 3/4 of a turkey, bacon wrap on tomato basil wrap with a TON of veggies and little mayo.

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet with sprinkle of shredded cheese, nutritional yeast, red peppers, salt free seasoning. Snack: Coffee w/ creamer x 2 Lunch: Salad w/ lean turkey, sprinkle shredded cheese, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, ranch dressing. Brussels sprouts. Snack: Almonds Before workout: special K bar, BCAA drink Supper: half piece of homeade pizza. Salad w/ kale, romaine lettuce, fresh mushrooms, beans, ranch dressing Snack: Special K granola bar 90oz water 45 min workout, plus walk later with my daughters